AUBERGINE - LONG PURPLE

Organic Aubergine Long Purple

        20 Seeds Pack   

Long Purple eggplant is one of the most widely cultivated varieties worldwide, prized for its exceptional flavor and unique form. This Italian heirloom variety produces medium-sized, elongated fruits that typically reach about 25 cm (10 inches) in length. The fruits boast a rich, deep violet colour that gives them a traditional, glossy purple appearance, though eggplants in general can vary in colour and shape, with some varieties showcasing pink or white hues.

Long Purple eggplants grow on bushy plants with sturdy, thick stems, adaptable to a range of environments. Depending on growing conditions, the plants can reach heights from 1 to 8 feet, offering versatility for both compact and spacious garden spaces.

PLANTING & GROWING

To ensure successful seed germination and healthy plant growth, begin by soaking your seeds a few hours before planting—ideally overnight. When starting seeds indoors, it’s crucial to disinfect any reusable plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers thoroughly to avoid damping-off disease, which can hinder young plants.

Eggplants, also known as aubergines, have a long growing cycle, taking up to six months from sowing to harvest. Because of this, starting seeds early in the season is key. While they can be grown outdoors in the UK, eggplants generally only thrive in mild climates or during particularly warm summers. For best results, grow them in a greenhouse where temperatures remain between 21 and 30°C (70 and 85°F). Like their nightshade relatives—peppers and tomatoes—eggplants grow very slowly in cooler weather.

Sow eggplant seeds between late January and early March, ideally in a heated propagator or on a sunny windowsill. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, gently prick them out and transplant them into 7.5 cm (3-inch) pots. As the plants grow, continue potting them up until they’re ready for planting out into the garden border (once frost risk has passed), into grow bags, or into larger 20–25 cm (8–10 inch) pots.

If planting outside, be sure to harden off the plants first, then space them 60–90 cm apart to allow adequate room for growth and good air circulation. When the plants reach around 30–40 cm in height, pinch out the top growing tips to encourage a bushier form. To ensure quality fruit, allow only four or five fruits to develop on each plant; producing more may lead to smaller fruits that are slower to ripen.

Eggplants pair well with companion plants like potatoes, spinach, and both sweet and hot peppers, as they share similar growing requirements and face the same types of pests and diseases. Tomatoes are also good companions, but make sure they don’t shade the eggplants. To minimize disease risks, avoid planting eggplants—or other nightshade family crops—in the same location more than once every three to four years.